PEACE THROUGH COMMITTEES

As the number of peace prizes is multiplied, the volume of interest diminishes. The Bok plan received front page space; the Filene project drew substantial newspaper copy; the latest peace prize award remains unnoticed. Doctor Jordan of Leland Stanford has been granted the Herman prize for the best educational plan to maintain peace; its effect is too easily calculable.

Those who advocate simple and direct action towards the goal of universal peace will be astounded at the immense complication of committees proposed. No fewer than twelve agencies for collecting and disseminating knowledge are to be let loose upon a protesting world. And the objects of study do not all recommend themselves to popular agitation: the current arguments for war as a cosmic necessity, the standing incentives to war and their abatement through legislation, and the establishment of a bureau of conciliation under the department of state are a few of the perplexities to be worked out. Of course, these are excellent matters for reflection, but will they benefit from the minute and pompously official examination which Doctor Jordan proposes? It is to be hoped that the author does not take his plan too seriously. Doctor Jordan's plan deserves consideration, and that is all, for he has missed the real point of peace propaganda: it must be informal, practical, unofficial;, and direct and none of these essential qualities is ombodied in his plan.